Boys announcing the birth at school

On Sunday afternoon when Jolon and Kellan came to visit me, we called Ibuki and Mari to let them know the news. Both boys were able to say "aka-chan umaretta," (the baby was born) on the phone. Jolon told Ibuki that it was a girl and I think even told her the name. Kellan told Mari it was a boy.

Monday was a big day at school for the boys as they were called up in front of their classes while everyone clapped and cheered at the announcement of their new baby sister, and then they were interviewed.

Ibuki asked Jolon: Has the name been decided?
Jolon: yeah
I: What's the name?
J: Well....she has one, but I don't know what it is......I forgot.
He also said he hadn't met her yet (which he had of course). And he knew her name, but Ibuki speculated that because for the past 2 weeks everyone has constantly been asking him if the baby was here, that when the moment finally came for him to formally announce it, he just got too embarrassed.

Kellan got up in front of his class and when the questions started, he just turned his head in embarrassment and wouldn't say anything.....until suddenly he pulled his shorts down, pointed to his underwear and very proudly explained that he was wearing "onichan no pants," his big brother's underwear. In his class we're asked to send girls panties for the boys because if they poo their pants, it's less likely to fall out of tight, little panties than loose briefs. Apparently the washing isn't getting done at home (no judgment, Jan) and Kellan didn't have any clean panties so Jan just sent Kellan in some of Jolon's underwear. The funny thing is that Jan didn't mention it or make any kind of a big deal about it, because Kellan, prone at this age to randomly decide he doesn't want to wear something, might have thrown a massive fit. Much better not to mention something like that and hope he either doesn't notice or doesn't mind. Interesting that he did notice, liked the underwear...so much so that he wanted to show and tell his whole class about it.


So many of the Moms in both of the boys classes wrote lovely messages to us in the newsletter, sent me cell phone messages, and a couple even came by the hospital. Both of Jolon's teachers and all 3 of Kellan's came by on Monday night around 7:00 after a long day at work to ask after me, meet Esme, and take lots of pictures. I was so touched.